Bessie Ann Gaskins Baltimore age 92, passed away peacefully in the Winchester Medical Center South Tower on August 2, 2021, at 11:15 p.m. with her loving family by her side.
Bessie was born March 18, 1929, in Markham, Virginia in Fauquier County. She was the youngest daughter and the eighth child of the late William Peyton and Leona Magnus Gaskins. After the early death of her parents, her siblings raised her in a loving and caring way.
Bessie attended Fenny Hill Elementary school in Scuffleburg where her teacher was Mrs. Elizabeth Gaskins and Delaplane Elementary school where her teacher was Mr. E. K. Washington in Fauquier County. Some of her schoolmates are Mrs. Susie Penic, Mrs. Ruth Thornley, Mrs. Dot Townley and Mr. Benny Williams. She graduated from The Manassas Industrial School, Regional High School of Northern Virginia (Jennie Dean) on May 30, 1946. She also attended the Marshall Bible College Evangelical Training Association from 2003 to 2008 under the leadership of Dr. William Swann.
On July 20, 1947, she married Clyde E. Baltimore. From this union, they had two daughters, Barbara Ann Baltimore Richmond and Claudia Virginia Baltimore Grant.
Bessie was employed with the United States Postal Service for many years. She always thanked her brother Louis for telling her to go take the postal test, which she passed successfully. Mama kept in touch with six friends from the USPS. They are Mr. Melvin Carter, Mrs. Sandra Corum, Mrs. Margie Duncan, Mr. Ed Hansborough, Ms. Judy Lane, and Mr. Leroy Weaver.
She began her Christian journey earlier in life by joining the Beulah Baptist Church in Markham under the leadership of the late Rev. Nathan Johnson. Later, she joined the Mount Paran Baptist Church in Linden, Virginia under the leadership of the late Rev. J. P. Baltimore, where she was a faithful member for 74 years. Bessie served with the Trustee Ministry, Usher Ministry, in which she was a charter member since 1953. She also sang with the combined choir when traveling to different churches, served as the secretary of the Deacon and Deaconess Ministry, and with the Culinary Ministry.
Bessie enjoyed fellowshipping and worshiping with her Mt. Paran Baptist Church Family. She and her two daughters would travel near and far to worship and praise the Lord.
Bessie was very much involved in the Second National Ketoctan Baptist Association. She was a Trustee of Second National and served as Treasurer of Women’s Auxiliary, and the Usher Ministry.
Under the leadership of Rev. Arthur Greene, Bessie was honored as a Platinum Member for her dedicated service since August 1947.
Bessie’s favorite scripture was Psalms 27 (Help for today, Hope for tomorrow). Two of her favorite hymns were On the Battlefield and My Father Watches Over Me.
She was a member of the AAHA Quilters where she went along with her sister-in-law Sylvia Gaskins. They made many quilts and taught others how to quilt. One quilt hangs in the Nissan Pavilion in Haymarket, Virginia. She had so much fun being with the ladies when they got together to make quilts. They gave away hundreds of quilts to family and friends and sold many to raise money for AAHA.
She would always be ready to play any kind of game with her family and friends. Her great-grandchildren loved it! She loved the Lord and knew her Bible. She would often play Bible Trivia with her family at the house. She would say, let me think a minute, and then pull the answer out of nowhere. She loved being in the kitchen with the daughters cooking, baking, and making potato salad.
One of the last things Mama did was read Don Lemon’s book, This is The Fire: What I Say to My Friends About Racism. This was an important book given the times in which she faced racism as a young girl and as an adult. She shared those experiences with her daughters and reflected upon the continued challenges today.
Bessie enjoyed getting dressed up with her nice shoes, dresses, jewelry, and purses. Her daughters enjoyed shopping for her and taking care of whatever, she needed. They loved their mother.
Mama Bessie loved her family. She was a great supporter and encourager in always supporting her daughters at the plays, gospel concerts, class reunions at William C. Taylor High School, church banquets, anniversaries, programs, and worship services. She kept up with her grandsons, their wives, great-grandsons, and a great-granddaughter by attending their activities, as her health allowed.
She was always ready to take a trip; it could be one day, two days, or more. She enjoyed being in the moment.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her siblings: Dorothy Proctor, William P. Sr., Thomas B., Walter S., Aaron C., Joseph L., and Louis N. Gaskins. Her closest friends were Mrs. Sylvia Gaskins, Mrs. Helen McLee, Mrs. Mary Timbers, and Mrs. Pauline Upshur all preceded her in death.
She is survived by her daughters: Barbara Richmond (Harry) and Claudia Grant of Linden, Virginia; her grandsons, Oscar D. Grant, III (Erayna) of Bowie, MD and Christopher M. Grant, Sr. (Tonya) of York, PA; great-grandsons, Christopher M. Jr., Jalen D., Timothy M., Kyle W., Shane C. Grant, and Gregory Davis (Marlissa) of York, PA and great-granddaughter Shavon Davis of York, PA; great-great-granddaughters Sophia, Izabella, and Kaydence; two sisters-in-law and friends, Mrs. Lillian B. Sloane and Mrs. Mildred F. Gaskins; adopted spiritual daughter Minister Marian Jackson, adopted spiritual son Rev. Lemuel Montgomery (Madelyn); and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
During her last days in the hospital, a chaplain visited her room. He talked with her about her days growing up and that he suspected she faced many difficulties in her life. He said he could feel the love in the room and the love between her and her family. After he left, she asked her daughter, “Am I a good soldier?” The reply was instant, “Yes, Mama, you are a good soldier!”
From Barbara and Claudia: Bessie Ann Gaskins Baltimore, a modern-day woman, was the best mother in the whole wide world to us. Mama we love you, but God loved you more.
A big thank-you goes to her son-in-law, Harry, for always being ready to give her something to drink or get her a snack. They would talk about any and everything, especially current events.
Funeral Service
Thursday, August 12, 2021 – 12:00 p.m.
Viewing 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Faith Christian Church and International Outreach Center
6472 Duhollow Road, Warrenton, Virginia, 20187
Rev. Lemuel A. Montgomery, Officiant and Pastor
Mount Moriah Baptist Church, Amissville, Virginia
Interment following service at:
Mt. Morris Community Cemetery
5342 Leeds Manor Road
Hume, Virginia 22639
Anthony Michael Henry, 22, of Front Royal, Virginia, passed away suddenly in Front Royal on Monday, April 22, 2024.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at a later date.
Anthony was born January 4, 2002, in Front Royal, Virginia, the son of Sara E. Kitts of Front Royal and Jason Henry. He previously worked for Taco Bell in Front Royal.
Surviving with his parents is his maternal grandmother, Margia Kitts of Front Royal; paternal grandparents, John and Susan Henry of Virginia; son, Kamari Kyng Henry, at home; one brother, Isaiah Henry of Virginia; and a sister, Jossalin Lowery of Front Royal.
Anthony was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Michael Kitts.
Hargis “Junior” Webb Jr., 79, of Strasburg, Virginia, passed away at Winchester Medical Center on Monday, April 22, 2024.
Hargis “Junior” Webb Jr.
The funeral service will be held on Thursday, April 25, 2024, at 1 p.m. at Maddox Funeral Home, 105 West Main Street, Front Royal, with Sammy Campbell officiating. Burial will follow at Panorama Memorial Gardens.
Mr. Webb was born on May 3, 1944, in Pound, Virginia, to the late Hargis Sr. and Linda Mullins Webb. He was also preceded in death by his brother, Vernard “Ray” Webb; sister, Ruby Jean Webb Jones; and sister-in-law, Eloise “Donie” Webb.
Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Beatrice “Bea” Webb; two sons, Ronnie Webb (Loretta) and Mike Webb (Brenda); four brothers, Bill Webb, Ed Webb (Lesha), James Webb (Dale) and Bob Webb (Chris); sister, Jackie Garmer (Shawn); six grandchildren, Ashley Hamrick (Mike), Amy Webb, Michael Webb (Ashley), Ronnie Webb Jr., Mason Davis and Tori Shamblin; two great-grandchildren, Brentley Hamrick and Keelan Webb; sister-in-law, Ada Webb; brother-in-law, Charles Jones and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
Ty Park, 54, of Aldie, Virginia, passed away on Sunday, April 21, 2024, at Virginia Hospital Canter after a ten-year-long battle with cancer.
A graveside service will be held on Friday, April 26, 2024, at 2 p.m. at Prospect Hill Cemetery, 200 West Prospect Street, Front Royal, with Pastor Thomas Woodward officiating.
Mr. Park was born on September 10, 1969 in South Korea. He was an avid fisherman and enjoyed nature, camping, and traveling. He was a local Gas Station owner in Front Royal.
Survivors include his mother, Sue Jung Park; daughter, Autumn Park; three sisters, Christina Schwendinger, Victoria Park and Taylor Park and numerous other extended family members.
He was preceded in death by his grandmother, Yung Sun Park.
Dana Dell Shaffer, beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at the age of 77.
Dana Dell Shaffer
Born September 16, 1946, in Savannah, Georgia, to Virginia and Osgood Shearouse, Dana moved to McLean, Virginia, as a teenager with her family, where she would later meet her husband, Elmer Shaffer. They started a family in 1973 and moved to Front Royal, Virginia, where she was a loving and guiding wife and devoted mother to her four children.
Dana gave all to her family and prided herself on getting the kids off to school on time with clean clothes and a good breakfast, or even just the smiles on her family’s faces when a family’s (or neighborhood’s) favorite recipe made it into the meal rotation!
Dana loved knitting and was always eager to share her creations with those she loved. She took pride in her canning skills and enjoyed her word search puzzles and watching her soaps in her spare time. Dana had a deep love for her church and singing on Sundays. Her love extended to everyone who knew her, and she will be remembered for her warm smile, loving personality, and mischievous giggle.
She is survived by her husband of 51 years, Elmer; her children, Charles Shaffer (Laura Maxey), Brian (Tina) Shaffer, Edith Shaffer, and William (Sara) Shaffer; two grandchildren, Duane Shaffer and Lisa Shaffer; siblings, Mary Bach and Charles (Linda) Shearouse; and last but not least, her family at Grace Bible Fellowship Church where she loved all so dearly.
The family will receive friends on Friday, April 26, from 6-8 p.m. at Maddox Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held at Maddox Funeral Home on Saturday, April 27, at 1:00 p.m., with Sammy Campbell officiating. Interment will follow in Panorama Memorial Gardens in Warren County.
Instead of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Blue Ridge Hospice at (540) 313-9200 orhttps://www.brhospice.org/donate.
Rest in peace, mom. You will forever be in our hearts and memories.
Rodney Duane Orndorff, 82, died on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at Warren Memorial Hospital in Front Royal, Virginia.
Rodney Duane Orndorff
Rod was born April 14, 1942, in Wardensville, West Virginia, to the late William Odell Orndorff, Sr. and Wilmetta Lee Webster Orndorff.
Rod graduated in 1960 from Wardensville High School. He was a Vietnam Veteran in the United States Army.
Rod worked at American Viscose/ Avtex until it closed in 1989. Then, he went to work at Atlantic Research in Gainsville, Virginia, where he worked until he retired in 2005 due to health problems.
Rod was a member of the Giles B. Cook American Legion Post 53 in Front Royal, the Front Royal Loyal Order of Moose Lodge Number 829, the VFW Post 2102 in Wardensville, the Page Valley Sports Men’s Association in Luray, Virginia, and the National Rifle Association.
Along with his parents, Rod was preceded in death by his brother, William Odell Orndorff Jr., and his brother’s wife, Janet Orndorff.
Surviving Rodney is his loving wife of 50 years, Edith D. Orndorff; one son, Duane Odell Orndorff of Front Royal; one grandson, Dallas Odell Orndorff, and wife Lyndsey; one great-grandson, Jaxson Odell Orndorff; and one great-granddaughter, Emma Claire Orndorff all of Strasburg, Virginia; his two sisters, Lydia Hott (Jerry) and Ann Holliday (Ronnie) all of Wardensville; a brother-in-law, Billy Dainty (Cynthia) of Front Royal; a sister-in-law, Phyllis Dainty (George Mulligan) of Luray, Virginia; and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and cousins. Rod’s pastimes were hunting, fishing, and skeet shooting.
The funeral will be held at 11 A.M. on Monday, April 22, 2024, at Maddox Funeral Home, 105 W Main St, Front Royal, Virginia 22630, with Sammy Campbell officiating and a visitation to take place an hour prior. Following all services, the burial will take place at Ninevah Presbyterian Church Cemetery at 5872 Winchester Rd, Front Royal, Virginia 22630.
Pallbearers will be Peter Roy, Justin Miller, Carl Thompson, Ron Galvin, David Strickler, and Kris Holliday.
Leah Kristen Martin, 47, of Linden, Virginia, passed away on Monday, April 15, 2024, at Warren Memorial Hospital.
Leah Kristen Martin
Leah was born to William and Suzan Hazen Dooly on July 27, 1976, in Washington, DC. She was preceded in death by her son, John Martin. Leah was a graduate of Old Dominion University and taught at Diversified Minds in Front Royal, Virginia. She was a member of Bethel Presbyterian Church.
Surviving along with her parents are her daughter, Kiely Martin; son, Joseph Martin; two sisters, Joy Fletcher and Lydia Dooly; and numerous extended family members and close family friends.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at Bethel Presbyterian Church, 19856 Evergreen Mills Road, Leesburg, Virginia, 20175, with the Rev. Dr. George C. Hammond officiating. The Service will be at 11:00 am in the Sanctuary, followed by a Celebration of Life in the Fellowship Hall.
In lieu of flowers, Memorial Donations in Leah’s honor can be made to Bethel Presbyterian Church, Leesburg.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at a later date.
